Review of A Simple Plan (1998) by Jay L — 03 Jul 2011

"Sometimes good people do evil things.".

Director Sam Raimi took a step out of his usual comfort zone with tense, dark and atmospheric horror-ish drama. A Simple Plan is very similar in tone to The smash hit and Award winning film "Fargo" by The Coen Brothers. A brutal psychological chiller that's disturbing, riveting, suspenseful, edgy and stunning all the same. An awesome film through and through, it's a marvelously constructed and an undeniably terrifying piece of nerve-shredding power. This was a more dramatic turn for a pre-Spiderman Sam Raimi, whose comfort zone was infused into the pure horror genre. A brilliant piece of work ghats spectacularly engaging, searingly gripping, beyond amazing, remarkably dysphoric and tremendously pulse-pounding. A Simple Plan is an adaptation of the hugely popular and spine-tingling early 90's Scott B. Smith novel. A unique film that really unfolds flawlessly before your eyes, a film that is carried by the talent of the performances on screen. Deeply gut-wrenching, but highly enjoyable cinema that easily induces fear and uneasiness throughout. One of Sam Raimi's very best films.

Its packed with absolutely phenomenal performances from everyone involved. Billy Bob Thornton, however, is the standout, he gives a brilliantly hypnotic performance that's among his very best. A performance that made this film click. Bill Paxton, whom I'm not a huge fan of, actually did a great job in this despite sounding whiny the entire time. Bridget Fonda gives an electrifying performance as well. A Simple Plan radiates with talent and it shows, this is a film that revolves around the actors/actresses. It's jam-packed with mezmorizing performances throughout.